NYC's Tap Water Isn't Kosher

[WillParkinson]

NYC's Tap Water Isn't Kosher

Gizmodo reports that NYC's famously delicious tap water is full of jillions of microscopic shellfish called copepods, rather alarming news for city's Orthodox, especially as the High Holy Days approach. As NYC's water supply is of such high quality that the EPA does not require mechanical filtering, the nation's "leading kosher certification organization" has issued the following instructions:

• Tap water in New York City (i.e., the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island) should be filtered before drinking;
• Products already manufactured may be used, even if made with unfiltered water;
• The water supply of dishwashers does not require filtering. Similarly, dishes may be washed by hand in unfiltered water if the dishes are subsequently towel dried, or left to drip-dry without “puddles” of water in them;
• Water should not be filtered on Shabbat or Yom Tov because of the prohibition of borer (selection). Rather, filtering should be done before Shabbat and the water should be stored for Shabbat use. One may, however, filter water for non-food purposes on Shabbat and Yom Tov.
• Bottled water is permitted for use.

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2010/08/nycs-tap-water-isnt-kosher.html

[XemaSab]

1. While I understand and respect the philosophy of kosher food

GOD PUT THOSE COPEPODS IN THE DRINKING WATER!

Who are we to take them out? :P

[damntexdem]

9. How do they cope with those pods?

But don't be shellfish about it.

;-)

[hobbit709]

2. I wonder what's in the water supply in Israel.

Has anybody checked to make sure there's no microscopic critters.

[brooklynite]

3. Not exactly news...

This story has been around NYC for years.

[sharp_stick]

4. Oh no...

the sky wizard is gonna get mad because people are swallowing miniscule stuff some old guys told us we couldn't eat a couple of thousand years ago.

I watched this Orthodox Jewish guy in Montreal once wait in front of an elevator for 25 minutes because he wasn't "allowed" to push the button on the sabbath. Finally someone offered to take him to the floor he needed to go to. He wouldn't (couldn't?) ask anyone just stood there looking around.

Religions would be funny if they weren't so damned dangerous.

[WillParkinson]

6. We had people like that where I work...

They walked down several flights of stairs to the desk to place an order to their room. They did not give needed details so I had to call them back. They would not answer the phone. I called the desk and they explained the situation to me.

I shook my head all the way to the room.

[SheilaT]

8. People ignorant enough

and yes, I mean ignorant, to not answer their phone for totally bs reasons like It's the Sabbath! deserve not to get the order filled. (Sorry, it's the Sabbath, and we can't do it for you.) Makes me wonder if those people would not pay attention to a fire alarm for that reason.

It also makes me wonder if anyone can get any kind of service whatsoever on the Sabbath in Israel.

[thereismore]

5. Religions are like viruses or parasitic worms. nt

[liberal N proud]

7. I am glad that I don't let religion dictate life

Belief in God, yes, organized religion just gets me all riled up.

[damntexdem]

10. The water in this part of the country needs to be filtered ...

not for microscopic shellfish, rather for agricultural runoff and the taste of the algae that bloom because of that runoff. I simply will not drink unfiltered tap water here.

[KamaAina]

11. Oy vey!

Who knew? :shrug: